Checked against official South Carolina sources on Oct 7, 2026
South Carolina CDL practice test
Every state needs at least 80% on each CDL written test, and South Carolina follows the same federal rule. Below are the fees, ages and rules we checked against the official South Carolina source, and a free practice test.
FirstTry CDL is not affiliated with any DMV, FMCSA or government agency. Practice questions are exam-style questions built from the official CDL manual, not actual test questions.
South Carolina CDL facts
| What | What South Carolina says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum age | You must be 18 to drive a commercial vehicle inside South Carolina and 21 to drive outside the state. You must be at least 18 to get a CLP | Official page |
| CLP fee | $2.50 for the CLP, plus a $15 application fee. The CLP has a one year expiration date | Official page |
| CLP validity | One year | Official page |
| CDL application fee | $15 each time you apply. The manual says public school bus drivers do not pay it | Official page |
| CDL license fee | $25 for the license, when you renew or upgrade your CDL, plus the $15 application fee | Official page |
| Hazmat CDL license fee | $15 for a 5 year CDL with a hazmat endorsement, plus the $15 application fee and $2 for the knowledge test | Official page |
| Knowledge test fee | $2 for each knowledge test, charged for every attempt whether you pass or fail | Official page |
| Knowledge test passing score | 80 percent or higher. The test may be written or oral | Official page |
| Knowledge test retest | If you fail any part, you must wait until the following day to retest. You can test three times on the original application fees paid. After you get a permit or license, you pay again for each added test | Official page |
| Endorsements | H hazmat, N tanker, P passenger, S school bus, T doubles and triples, X hazmat and tanker combined. You must have P to have S | Official page |
| Endorsement tests | Knowledge test for N and T. Knowledge and skills tests for P and S. Knowledge test and TSA threat assessment for H and X | Official page |
| Endorsements on a CLP | A CLP can only have N, P and S | Official page |
| Adding an endorsement later | You must retake and pass all applicable knowledge tests | Official page |
| CLP holding period | Hold your CLP at least 14 days before the skills test | Official page |
| Skills test parts | Vehicle inspection, basic vehicle control skills, then on-road driving. You must pass them in that order | Official page |
| Skills test retest fee | $25 for another skills test if you fail any part. No fee if you cannot finish a part for reasons beyond your control, such as bad weather, vehicle failure or a sick examiner | Official page |
| Skills test retest wait | After a first fail, wait two business days (Monday to Friday). After a second fail, wait seven calendar days. After a third or later fail, wait 30 calendar days | Official page |
| Skills test score banking | You can bank passed parts of the skills test while the CLP is valid | Official page |
| Skills test appointment | An appointment is required. Arrive 30 minutes early. If you arrive ten minutes after your appointment time, it may be cancelled | Official page |
| Skills test vehicle | The vehicle must represent the license class, have the manufacturer plate, and have a valid inspection sticker if it is a CMV over 10,000 pounds in interstate commerce. Only you and the SCDMV examiner may be in or around the vehicle | Official page |
| ELDT | If you got your CLP after February 7, 2022, you must finish FMCSA approved entry level driver training before the CDL skills test. It is also needed for a first P, S or H endorsement | Official page |
| Hazmat eligibility | Only US citizens and lawful permanent residents can apply for a CDL with a hazmat endorsement | Official page |
| Hazmat TSA check | SCDMV does not do TSA fingerprinting. You must finish the TSA background check and pass the hazmat knowledge test. The TSA fingerprint fee is extra | Official page |
| Hazmat test format | The hazmat endorsement test must be taken and passed in a written or automated format only | Official page |
| CDL renewal | The renewal fees are $25 for the license and $15 for the application. You pass a vision test | Official page |
| CDL expiration | A CDL expires every eight years. With a hazmat endorsement it expires five years from your security threat assessment pass date | Official page |
| Expired CDL | If your CDL has been expired nine months or more, you repeat the process for an initial CDL, including the knowledge test and full skills test | Official page |
| Moving to South Carolina | Apply to transfer your out-of-state CDL within 30 days of moving. A CLP from another state cannot be transferred | Official page |
Fees and rules change. Confirm on the official South Carolina CDL page before you go. Read the official South Carolina CDL manual.
CDL test formats
We show the national defaults for question counts and time limits. Check the official South Carolina manual for anything that differs.
| Test | Questions | To pass | Typical time |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Knowledge | 50 | 40 (80%) | About 60 minutes |
| Air Brakes | 25 | 20 (80%) | 25 to 30 minutes |
| Combination Vehicles | 20 (25 questions in some states) | 16 (80%) | 20 to 25 minutes |
| Hazardous Materials | 30 | 24 (80%) | 30 to 40 minutes |
| Tanker | 20 | 16 (80%) | 20 to 25 minutes |
| Passenger | 20 | 16 (80%) | 20 to 25 minutes |
| School Bus | 20 (25 questions in some states) | 16 (80%) | About 25 minutes |
| Doubles/Triples | 20 | 16 (80%) | About 20 minutes |
Practice any of them: all CDL practice tests.